Resolutions

Resolution No. 05-18

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND IN ARKANSAS; AND TO ENGAGE IN LITIGATION AS A MEMBER OF THE MUNICIPAL LEGAL DEFENSE
PROGRAM (MLDP) AGAINST THOSE ENTITIES AND PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SOCIETAL CRISIS.

WHEREAS, our nation and the state of Arkansas have suffered substantially by virtue of the addiction and dependency on opioids, both legally prescribed and criminally secured; and,

WHEREAS, on October 26th, 2017 the President of the United States of America declared the opioid crisis to be a "public health emergency," and;

WHEREAS, based upon the number of opioid prescription issued in 2016 it has been estimated that every man, woman and child, regardless of age would have 37.5 pills in hand at any given time; and,

WHEREAS, drug overdose fatalities in 2016 across the nation numbered 64,000 people while traffic fatalities for the same period number approximately, 40,200; and,

WHEREAS, municipal governments have born a substantial financial and societal burden fighting this crisis and epidemic and will face abatement costs for this nuisance for many years to come; and,

WHEREAS, the Town of Avoca is a member of the MLDP and seeks to make use of the legal services provided by the Program to hold those responsible for this crisis to the highest letter of the law; and,

WHEREAS, the MLDP in concert with the other risk management pools in Arkansas have combined resources to bring litigation against those responsible on behalf of all counties, cities and towns in the state.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN of Avoca, Arkansas recognizes the acute need to address the opioid crisis in this state and wishes to do so by joining the efforts of other MLDP members to bring litigation against those responsible as advised by the MLDP.